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J26 NGO

1997 Land Rover Defender

Blue Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires4 Jun 2026
Tests27 (17 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate63%

Mileage

74,798 mi
Last recorded74,798 miles
Recorded on5 Jun 2025
Typical for 1997 Land Rover Defender117,879 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Land Rover
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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ26 NGO
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,495cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

17 pass 10 fail
Pass 5 Jun 2025 74,798 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 2 Jun 2025 74,768 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Chassis centre and rear (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Chassis centre and rear (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 8 Feb 2023 74,730 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Vehicle structure is so weakened by corrosion within 30cm of a towbar mounting, the towbar is likely to become detached (6.1.6 (i) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 10 Feb 2022 73,472 miles

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 9 Feb 2022 73,472 miles

Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 6 Jan 2021 71,527 miles

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 5 Jan 2021 71,527 miles

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Bonnet safety catch distorted , not working

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 4 Jul 2019 68,804 miles

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 26 Jun 2019 68,789 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

nearside front body mount corroded

Pass 15 Jun 2018 67,303 miles
Pass 27 Jun 2017 65,299 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded on axle (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded on axle (3.6.B.2c)

Oil leak ()

Fail 20 Jun 2017 65,286 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Rear Inner Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting cross member (6.6.6)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded on axle (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded on axle (3.6.B.2c)

Oil leak ()

Pass 10 Mar 2016 59,912 miles

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded axle pipes (3.6.B.2c)

engine oil leak

Fail 2 Mar 2016 59,757 miles

Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt drop arm (2.2.C.1c)

Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases box marked yellow (7.1.2)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings chassis (6.1.B.2)

Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded rear marked yellow (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings chassis (6.1.B.2)

Offside Steering damper damaged and unserviceable damper bush (2.2.C.1d)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Position lamp switch does not illuminate the front and rear position lamps with a single operation (1.1.A.2)

Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped axle pipes (3.6.B.1)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Statutory seat belt missing all rear (5.1.1)

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. front 15% rear 17% (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded axle pipes (3.6.B.2c)

engine oil leak

Pass 28 Apr 2015 56,701 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Fail 27 Apr 2015 56,701 miles

All position lamps not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Drag link end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 27 Mar 2014 52,569 miles

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Fail 19 Mar 2014 52,567 miles

Brake servo damaged and function impaired (3.6.A.2c)

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 23 Feb 2013 47,068 miles

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 22 Feb 2012 43,205 miles
Pass 21 Feb 2011 41,722 miles
Pass 22 Feb 2010 38,712 miles

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Oil leak

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

rear number plate has water damage

Fail 18 Feb 2010 38,690 miles

Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)

Oil leak

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

rear number plate has water damage

Pass 17 Feb 2009 32,269 miles
Pass 18 Feb 2008 25,162 miles
Pass 13 Feb 2007 17,044 miles
Pass 21 Feb 2006 10,238 miles

How Reliable is the Land Rover Defender?

Based on 2,960,045 MOT tests across 181,953 vehicles.

72.3%
Pass Rate
3,550
Miles/Year
43
Year Lifespan
181,953
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush 77,499
Brake pipe excessively corroded 77,229
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 57,749
position lamp(s) not working 53,914
Stop lamp not working 52,341
Full Land Rover Defender reliability report

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Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

J26 NGO is a 1997 Land Rover Defender in Blue with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63%.

Across all 1997 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.5% with a typical mileage of 117,879 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Land Rover Defender fails its MOT is shock absorber has an excessively worn bush, accounting for 77,499 recorded failures. If you're considering buying J26 NGO, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Land Rover Defender typically stays on UK roads for around 43 years. At 29 years old, this Land Rover Defender is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of J26 NGO?

You can check the full history of J26 NGO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J26 NGO registered?

J26 NGO is a 1997 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is J26 NGO safe to buy?

The MOT history for J26 NGO shows 27 tests with a 63% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J26 NGO have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on J26 NGO. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.